Hayden competed as an Independent during this
period while still playing many of the old Jayhawk League opponents. More
Catholic schools were added to the schedule including powerhouse Rockhurst of
Kansas City, Mo. Topeka High also found a place on the regular season schedule
for the first time. More information will follow on this period, but the
highlights of the era were the back-to back wins over Topeka High. Hayden was a
heavy underdog for both of those games.

1955 turned into a rebuilding year for Coach Byard. Top seniors
were Jim Rafferty, John Etzel, Ascension Hernandez and Ray Dechand. Frank
Munoz 3 TD performance against Washburn Rural was one of the few highlights on
the offensive side for Hayden in 1955.

A win that got away was the Maur Hill game in Atchison. Atchison scored
their last TD on a 4th down pass that was accidently deflected into the
Maur Hill receiver's hands by Tom Ortiz. Maur Hill made the extra point and
neither team could score in the 4th quarter. The tie did stop a 14 game
winning streak by the Jr. Ravens.

Coach Byard had high hopes for the 1956 season - his biggest concern was a lack
of depth. Therlo Conner and Don Wunder were the top running backs for the
Wildcats. Hayden's season opening win over Ward was a rare road victory in Kansas
City. Strong defensive line play against Holton caused several fumbles to help
the revitalized offense (324 yds). The Topeka State Journal described
Hayden's offensive bread and butter as "quick thrusts from a split-T
operated by Tommy Ortiz with Thurlo Conner, Don Wunder and Larry Huerter ...
doing the carrying." (10/6/56). Future Hayden coach Joe Lieber had one of
his better games against Ottawa. When the team disposed of previously undefeated
Haskell (called an upset by the TDC), the team and the fans began to think
about an undefeated season. Without a state play-off system, the undefeated
season was the ultimate goal of the 1950's era and Hayden had no conference
championship to claim.

The Highland Park game was hyped by the publication of a note sent by Coach
Byard to a reporter about the upcoming game. Coach Byard wanted to stick up for
his team that he felt had not received enough credit for their 5 straight
victories - he also predicted that Hayden would defeat Highland Park. Coach
Byard really did not think this letter would be published - but none the less - it
was. Still, Hayden was the favorite and was playing at home. Hayden field was
jammed for the contest . Hayden lost 3 fumbles and ruined an extra point attempt
with another to limit the offense to only 6 points. Coach admitted that this
game was the most disappointing of the games he coached.

Hayden rebounded to defeat Wichita Kapaun on the road - Sil Meier had his best
game scoring 2 TD's. The team was hobbled by many injuries - so this win was
impressive even though Kapaun had not won a game all year. The team fell flat in
the game against Seaman as the defense had no answer for the single wing attack
displayed by the Vikings. Larry Huerter, Ortiz and Conner closed out their
career with a great win over Christian Brothers of St. Joseph, MO at Hayden
Field. Huerter blocked an extra point attempt to preserve the victory. All in
all, this was a great season and 7-2 in this era was a major accomplishment.

Coach Byard was optimistic about the 1957 season, although he knew it would take
time for the new backfield to gain experience. Hayden's linemen were
described as "mammoth" by the TDC (9-22-57). Article showed
photo of "1,253 pounds of beef" - Lindel Cornelison (201), Augie
Lopez (228), John Mick (201), Don Schwerdt (200) Manuel Perez (202) and Fred
Spencer (221). Hayden was pounded by the first two opponents Ward &
Holton. The Maur Hill game probably should have been played to a tie - a Perez
punt was blocked to set up the only score of the game.

Then the offense got untracked with a blowout win over Ottawa. The defense
started the rally by causing 4 Ottawa fumbles. Quarterback Gene Smith used Bob
Evans, I.C. Sanders and Jerome Stadler (known as "Fireball") as
rushers and receivers to upset the Cyclones. Hayden and Haskell slugged it
out at Hayden Field with the Wildcats gaining a Homecoming victory.
Haskell star Kenny Bailey ripped off 2 long TD runs - but was ejected from the
game in the final minutes for "rough play". Hayden lineman Bob
Drotts and 2 other Haskell players were also given the night off by the
officiating crew. Coach Byard says that Billy Mills, a future Olympic gold medal
winner, played for Haskell during this period. ( Maybe this game or the
following year ?).

Coach Byard finally got his first win over Highland Park 37-21. Manuel
Perez kicked a rare field goal to start the scoring. The era of the soccer style
kick was a few years away in 1957 and few coaches had even a dependable PAT
kicker. Sophomores Dick Steinbock and I.C. Sanders both had an excellent game
against Highland Park.

Hayden was deemed the "heavy underdog" by the local press for the next
game with Topeka High. This was the first regular schedule game against the
Trojans (the two teams had met once before in a Thanksgiving Day post-season
game that was allowed back in 1951). Topeka High was one of the largest
schools in the state (Topeka West would not come into existence until 1961)
and had won the mythical state championship in 1955. WIBW-TV was allowed to
broadcast the game live - the first high school football game ever televised in
the state of Kansas. The upset win by Hayden was probably the most
memorable game of the 1950's. Topeka High's speed advantage was
neutralized due to the steady rain during the first half. Still, Topeka High had
a 6-0 lead after the 3rd quarter and had led the Wildcats in yardage. A THS
touchdown had also been called back due to off-setting penalties.
But Hayden rallied after a pass interception by Pat O'Brien and
"Fireball" Stadler scored on a 4th down 1 yard run with only 2 minutes
left in the game.

Hayden and Seaman played to a tie at half time - but Hayden could do nothing
right in the second half as Seaman scored 4 times. Fumbles and the running of
Viking back Kessinger ended Hayden's 4 game winning streak.

The 1958 roster had 14 returning
lettermen with veterans Dick Steinbock, I.C. Sanders, Jerry Stadler and Bob
Evans leading the running attack. Starting linemen returning were John
Mick, Fred Spencer, Jim Herynk, Augustine Lopez and Jerry Gannon. The opener
against Ward was a demoralizing loss to Ward - however Ward turned out to be a
state power going undefeated in 1958 and ranked No. 2 in the state behind
Lawrence. Seaman took advantage of a Hayden 4th quarter fumble deep inside
Hayden territory to win the traditional rivalry game. Rockhurst was a power in
1958 and Hayden played them tough - Steinbock was the offensive standout. Hayden
finally got a win against Ottawa rolling up over 300 yards rushing - Sanders,
Evans and Steinbock led the way.

After a disappointing loss to
Highland Park (Steinbock was injured early in that game) it appeared that Hayden
would face another loss against Topeka High. New coach Larry Reid had only a 2-4
record but Hayden was still an underdog for this game that featured an
improved Hayden passing attack. I.C. Sanders scored the only points
in the game with a 7 yard run at the end of the first half.

Sometimes Hayden was just punished
by bad breaks and according to the TDC poor officiating. Hayden drove to the
goal line in the final minutes of this game trailing by 1. Sanders picked up a
1st down on the "one inch (and that's stretching it)" line. Pat
O'Brien fumbled as he went into the end zone- but the officials claimed the
fumble occurred in the playing field even though Haskell recovered the
ball in the end zone. Earlier in the 3rd quarter the scoreboard clock deducted
two minutes in error from the playing time. The finale of the season saw future
PGA great Jim Colbert pass for 156 yards in leading Miege to a win over the
Wildcats. That completed an undefeated season for Miege and a number 8 ranking
in the final TDC poll.

Coach Byard called it quits
shortly after this game. The demands of coaching, teaching, counseling and
trying to provide for a growing family were too great and he decided to step
down from the coaching position. Assistant Joe Hammerschmidt would take over in
1959 while Byard would pursue business interests.

Hammerschmidt's crew tied an improved Washburn Rural team in
the 1959 opener. Terry Elston recovered a fumble near the end of the 1st half
that was converted into a touchdown to tie the score. The 21-0 nothing loss to
Rockhurst will be remembered for the strong play of the defense that stopped
several Rockhurst drives. TCJ reported "there was no such thing" in
regard to a Hayden offense. Steinbock got 22 yards "but the Wildcats are
still looking for their initial first down" was reporter Curt Mosher's
final line in the game story. OUCH!

Somebody had to win the Ottawa game and Steinbock was the
difference gaining 97 of the team's 157 rushing yards. Larry Johnson scored the
TD on a pass from Phil Rolsing. Bob Charay contributed with a key interception.
The Haskell Indians were Jayhawk League champions in 1959 - Laverne Buffalomeat
(one of many unique surnames on this team) scored one of 2 touchdowns - Hayden's
defense prevented a major blowout. Hayden was in the game against Christian
Brothers until a 83 yard game tying touchdown run by Steinbock was called back
in the 3rd quarter.

BELOW: Dick Steinbock - top running back 1957,
1958 & 1959.

Steinbock led the team to a big upset win over Miege
11-15-59. He was the biggest offensive threat all year for the Wildcats and was
key in defensive stops especially against Miege. Miege had defeated Rockhurst
14-13 the week before meeting Hayden. Dick Durow stole the ball from a Stag
runner and Tom Meier recovered a kick return fumble to slow down the Miege
offense. Miege was coached by former Hayden assistant Dick Byard.